Press Release
Mangan, December 31, 2025: The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) today formally reopened the restored Naga-Toong stretch of North Sikkim, marking a major milestone in post-disaster recovery efforts following the Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) of October 2023.
The catastrophic event had badly damaged the critical road link, cutting off communities and disrupting movement of essential supplies for months. After sustained engineering efforts across challenging terrain, BRO has now completed eight kilometres of single-lane roadway, including the construction of a 180-foot Triple Double Reinforced Extra Wide Bailey Bridge at Ritchu.
Officials emphasized that the project demanded precision planning and round-the-clock execution due to unstable slopes, frequent weather disruptions and multiple sinking zones. The reopening restores a lifeline for residents, security agencies, and economic activity in the region. It reflects the resilience of our engineers and the cooperation of local communities.
The restored corridor is expected to significantly reduce travel time, improve access to healthcare and education facilities, and support regional tourism. Temporary safety measures remain in place while long-term slope stabilization and drainage works continue.
Authorities urged motorists to observe speed limits and adhere to traffic advisories, particularly around the Ritchu bridge approach, as monitoring will continue through the winter season.
The selfless efforts of BRO personnel, who continued working till late night hours, braving incessant rainfall and landslides and under risky conditions, has earned widespread appreciation from local residents and it ensured that the road was through for traffic in six months.
Through unwavering dedication and collective effort, Project Swastik has lived up to the Border Roads Organisation motto — “In the Silence of the Mountains, Work Speaks.”
